Ole Miss went to the FCS ranks to find its new offensive coordinator and stayed in the SEC to hire its new defensive coordinator.
Per multiple reports including Rivals’ Rebel Grove and ESPN, the Rebels will hire Sam Houston State offensive coordinator Phil Longo for the same position and Auburn defensive backs coach Wesley McGriff will be the Rebels’ new defensive coordinator.
Longo, who played for Sam Houston State coach K.C. Keeler at Rowan University, has been with Sam Houston State since 2014 after stops around various FCS universities. SHSU’s offense has been one of the most prolific in FCS over the last three years and averaged 7.17 yards a play and 547 yards per game in 2016. Both marks are best in the FCS.
The team scored 89 offensive touchdowns, 12 more than second-place James Madison, though the Bearkats lost to James Madison 65-7 on Saturday in the FCS quarterfinals.
Longo is replacing Dan Werner who parted ways with the school after five seasons in the offseason.
McGriff takes the place of retired defensive coordinator Dave Wommack. McGriff joined Auburn before the 2016 season after spending three years with the New Orleans Saints following the 2012 season at Ole Miss as the team’s co-defensive coordinator.
The Tigers gave up 6.13 passing yards per attempt in 2016 along with 12 passing touchdowns. Ole Miss’ defense gave up 76.98 yards an attempt and allowed 16 passing touchdowns.
As McGriff arrives at Ole Miss, defensive line coach Chris Kiffin departs. Kiffin will join his brother Lane Kiffin at Florida Atlantic as the team’s defensive coordinator. In May, Chris Kiffin was named in three of 13 NCAA allegations vs. the Rebels and had to spend 30 days in a recruiting timeout as a result.
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